The Palestinian national football team has made a significant stride by advancing to the final round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. This historic achievement brings the team closer to their dream of competing on football’s most prestigious stage, a milestone that resonates deeply with the people of Palestine.
Mohammed Rashid, a key player for the Palestinian team and star of Bali United, spoke to FIFA about his aspirations and the journey of Palestinian football. “To be honest, qualifying for the World Cup is our nation’s and our players’ dream,” Rashid said. “With everything that’s happening in Palestine right now, being able to qualify would be a huge achievement for the players and the whole country.”
Rashid’s path to professional football was marked by challenges typical of playing in Palestine, where limited resources and infrastructure demand immense determination and passion for the sport. Growing up in Ramallah, Rashid honed his skills on the streets before moving to the United States at 16 to pursue better educational opportunities and a professional football career.
His career has seen him play for various clubs, including Hilal Al-Quds Club and Shabab Al-Bireh in Palestine, and abroad in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and currently Indonesia with Bali United. These experiences have shaped his playing style and enhanced his skills, allowing him to adapt to different roles on the field.
Reflecting on the upcoming qualifiers, Rashid emphasized the importance of the event for Palestine. “At the recent Asian Cup in Qatar, our target was to reach the last 16, and we achieved that for the first time in Palestine’s history. It was a magnificent feeling, so just imagine if we qualified for the World Cup. We might be lost for words.”
Palestine’s journey to the World Cup has been a testament to their resilience and hope for international recognition. The team’s progress in the qualifiers is a symbol of the country’s indomitable spirit and a beacon of hope for future generations.
Rashid also shared his broader vision for the future of Palestinian football. “My hope and dream for football in Palestine is that we can have a normal league like other countries,” he said. “Stadiums and natural-grass pitches. You know, we don’t have any stadiums with natural grass in Palestine – they’re all artificial grass. This is a big problem for anyone playing abroad who is accustomed to natural grass who then returns and has to adapt again to artificial pitches.”
He believes that unifying the Gaza and West Bank leagues would positively impact the national team, providing more opportunities for talent development and making the league more competitive.
